The Way of the World: Scene XIV.
Scene XIV.
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD in a riding dress, MRS. MARWOOD, PETULANT, WITWOUD, FOOTMAN.
WITWOUD
In the name of Bartlemew and his Fair, what have we here?
MRS. MARWOOD
'Tis your brother, I fancy. Don't you know him?
WITWOUD
Not I:- yes, I think it is he. I've almost forgot him; I have
not seen him since the revolution.
FOOTMAN
Sir, my lady's dressing. Here's company, if you please to
walk in, in the meantime.
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Dressing! What, it's but morning here, I warrant, with
you in London; we should count it towards afternoon in our parts
down in Shropshire:- why, then, belike my aunt han't dined yet. Ha,
friend?
FOOTMAN
Your aunt, sir?
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
My aunt, sir? Yes my aunt, sir, and your lady, sir; your
lady is my aunt, sir. Why, what dost thou not know me, friend?
Why, then, send somebody hither that does. How long hast thou lived
with thy lady, fellow, ha?
FOOTMAN
A week, sir; longer than anybody in the house, except my
lady's woman.
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Why, then, belike thou dost not know thy lady, if thou
seest her. Ha, friend?
FOOTMAN
Why, truly, sir, I cannot safely swear to her face in a
morning, before she is dressed. 'Tis like I may give a shrewd guess
at her by this time.
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Well, prithee try what thou canst do; if thou canst not
guess, enquire her out, dost hear, fellow? And tell her her nephew,
Sir Wilfull Witwoud, is in the house.
FOOTMAN
I shall, sir.
SIR WILFULL WITWOUD
Hold ye, hear me, friend, a word with you in your ear:
prithee who are these gallants?
FOOTMAN
Really, sir, I can't tell; here come so many here, 'tis hard
to know 'em all.